UnitedHealth $UNH jumps 8% on $6.38 adj EPS and higher 2026 guide

An 8% stock move followed a $6.38 adjusted EPS print and a higher 2026 outlook. UnitedHealth Group $UNH reported Q2 revenue of $112.0B, earnings from operations of $8.0B, GAAP EPS of $6.04, and adjusted EPS of $6.38. The stock rose around 8%, with some market reports showing an intraday gain near 10%, because the result directly addressed medical-cost and margin worries that had weighed on managed-care shares.

The company’s official Q2 release raised full-year 2026 EPS guidance to $18.45-$18.95 and adjusted EPS guidance to $19.50-$20.00. That compares with the prior message of adjusted EPS above $18.25. Consolidated cash flow from operations was $11.1B, or 1.9 times net income, and the debt-to-capital ratio was 41.2% at June 30.

The medical cost ratio was the market-sensitive line item. UnitedHealth reported an 86.7% ratio for Q2, reflecting cost controls, pricing actions, and benefit mix changes. A lower ratio means a smaller share of premium revenue is being consumed by medical claims, which is why managed-care peers also moved on the release. Operating cost ratio was 12.7%, leaving investors to separate core cost performance from one-off mix and pricing effects.

This passes the Tier-1 filter on two grounds: an earnings surprise with concrete numbers and a single-stock move of at least 8% tied to the release. The next checks are July and August utilization trends, Medicare Advantage margin commentary, and whether the $19.50-$20.00 adjusted EPS range holds through the second half. The release improves the near-term narrative, but the relevant evidence remains claims cost, pricing discipline, and cash generation rather than stock-price momentum alone.

Not investment advice. Verify all figures with primary sources before acting.